Zoom lens system

ABSTRACT

A zoom lens system includes a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, and a positive third lens group, in this order from the object. Upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, the distance between the negative first lens group and the positive second lens group decreases, and the distance between the positive second lens group and the positive third lens group increases. The negative first lens group includes a negative first lens element, a negative second lens element having a weaker negative refractive power, and a positive third lens element, in this order from the object. The second lens element of the negative first lens group satisfies the following condition:
 
0&lt;( ra−rb )/( ra+rb )&lt;0.3  (1)
         wherein   ra designates a radius of curvature of the object-side surface of the second lens element of the negative first lens group; and   rb designates a radius of curvature of the image-side surface of the second lens element of the negative first lens group.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lens system, which is inexpensive, has adequate telecentricity and a zoom ratio of approximately 4.0, to be used in a small and light-weight digital camera, etc.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In recent years, further miniaturization of digital compact cameras due to further miniaturization of electronic components have progressed, and further miniaturization of the photographing optical system is also in demand.

Furthermore, due to higher pixelization of imaging devices, photographing optical systems are required to have higher resolution.

In order to prevent shading and color shift, excellent telecentricity, by which light emitting from the rearmost lens surface is orthogonally incident on the imaging surface, is required in the photographing optical system of a digital camera.

A negative-lead type lens system having a zoom ratio of approximately 3 is often utilized as the zoom lens system of a compact digital camera. Since a negative-lead type lens system can achieve a wide angle-of-view at the short focal length extremity, and can have smaller lens diameters, especially, the diameter of the most object-side lens group, such a lens system is suitable for a retractable zoom lens system in which the distances between lens groups are reduced as the lens groups are being retracted (in an optical axis direction) to an accommodating position.

Furthermore, such a zoom lens system having three lens groups, e.g., a lens group having a negative refractive power (hereinafter, a negative lens group), a lens group having a positive refractive power (hereinafter, a positive lens group) and a positive lens group, in this order from the object, is often utilized, since the exit pupil has to be positioned sufficiently away from the imaging plane.

Examples of the prior art can be found in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 2005-70696, 2005-70697, 2005-37727 and 2006-301154.

In the case of a zoom lens system having a zoom ratio exceeding 4.0, it is common to employ a positive-lead type lens system. Such a positive-lead type lens system is suitable for reducing the overall length of the lens system; however, the diameter of the first lens group is larger, and is not suitable for the retractable zoom lens camera with a telescopic lens barrel which is arranged to advance and retract.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 2005-70696, 2005-70697 and 2005-37727 disclose relatively small optical systems; however, the zoom ratio thereof is approximately 3.0, which is insufficient. Furthermore, cost reduction of the zoom lens systems has not been sufficiently achieved.

In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-301154, a zoom lens system in which a zoom ratio exceeding 4 is proposed; however, the overall length of the zoom lens system is long, so that miniaturization thereof is insufficient. Moreover, a large number of lens elements, and glass aspherical lens elements are employed, which increases the costs of the optical system.

Generally, if attempts are made to achieve an optical system in which aberrations are suitably corrected without increasing the size of the optical system, the number of lens elements has to be increased, and more aspherical lens elements have to be employed, which increases the costs of the optical system.

In a zoom lens system for a telescopic retractable zoom lens camera, a negative-lead type lens system is desirable. However, if the zoom ratio is increased up to approximately 4.0, the zoom lens system tends to be longer in the optical axis direction, and the correcting of aberrations becomes difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a zoom lens system which is a negative-lead type lens system having three lens groups, has a zoom ratio exceeding 4.0, and covers a zooming range (focal length range) from a wide-angle to a telephoto angle; and in the zoom lens system, the correcting of aberrations is suitably performed.

The present invention has been devised as a result of researching lens arrangements for negative-lead type lens systems having three lens groups, especially in regard to the lens arrangement of the first lens group.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a zoom lens system including a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, and a positive third lens group, in this order from the object.

Upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, the distance between the negative first lens group and the positive second lens group decreases, and the distance between the positive second lens group and the positive third lens group increases.

The negative first lens group includes a negative first lens element, a negative second lens element having a weaker negative refractive power, and a positive third lens element, in this order from the object.

The second lens element of the negative first lens group satisfies the following condition: 0<(ra−rb)/(ra+rb)<0.3  (1)

wherein

ra designates a radius of curvature of the object-side surface of the second lens element of the negative first lens group; and

rb designates a radius of curvature of the image-side surface of the second lens element of the negative first lens group.

The zoom lens system satisfies the following condition: 0.3<f1/fp<0.7(f1<0)  (2)

wherein

f1 designates the focal length of the negative first lens group; and

fp designates the focal length of the second lens element of the negative first lens group.

The second lens element of the negative first lens group is arranged to have at least one aspherical surface, and preferably satisfies the following condition: n2<1.55  (3)

wherein

n2 designates the refractive index of the d-line of the second lens element.

The most object-side surface of the positive second lens group is preferably constituted by a concave surface facing toward the image.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a zoom lens system including a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, and a positive third lens group, in this order from the object.

Upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, the distance between the negative first lens group and the positive second lens group decreases, and the distance between the positive second lens group and the positive third lens group increases.

The positive second lens group includes a positive first lens element, a negative second lens element, and a positive or negative third lens element having a weaker refractive power, in this order from the object.

The third lens element of the positive second lens group preferably satisfies the following condition: −0.3<(r3−r4)/(r3+r4)<0.5  (4)

wherein

r3 designates a radius of curvature of the object-side surface of the third lens element of the positive second lens group; and

r4 designates a radius of curvature of the image-side surface of the third lens element of the positive second lens group.

In the first and second aspect of the present invention, the zoom lens system preferably satisfies the following condition: 0.5<f2/f3<0.9  (5)

wherein

f2 designates the focal length of the positive second lens group, and

f3 designates the focal length of the positive third lens group.

Upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, the positive second lens group is monotonically moved toward the object, and satisfies the following condition: 3.2<m2t/m2w<4.0  (6)

wherein

m2t designates a magnification of the positive second lens group, at the long focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state; and

m2w designates a magnification of the positive second lens group, at the short focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state.

Upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, the positive third lens group is monotonically moved toward the image, and satisfies the following condition: 1.1<m3t/m3w<1.4  (7)

wherein

m3t designates a magnification of the positive third lens group, at the long focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state; and

m3w designates a magnification of the positive third lens group, at the short focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state.

In the zoom lens system of the present invention, the positive third lens group is arranged to function as a focusing lens group, and includes a biconvex plastic lens element having at least one aspherical surface.

In the zoom lens system of the present invention, the negative first lens group preferably satisfies the following condition: 0.2<t1/|f1|<0.4  (8)

wherein

t1 designates a distance from the most object-side surface of the negative first lens group to the most image-side surface thereof; and

f1 designates the focal length of the negative first lens group.

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-202642 (filed on Aug. 3, 2007) which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be discussed below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a lens arrangement of a first embodiment of a zoom lens system according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 1 at the short focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 1 at an intermediate focal length, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 1 at the long focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIG. 5 shows a lens arrangement of a second embodiment of a zoom lens system according to the present invention;

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 5 at the short focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 5 at an intermediate focal length, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 5 at the long focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIG. 9 shows a lens arrangement of a third embodiment of a zoom lens system according to the present invention;

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 9 at the short focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 9 at an intermediate focal length, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 9 at the long focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIG. 13 shows a lens arrangement of a fourth embodiment of a zoom lens system according to the present invention;

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 13 at the short focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 13 at an intermediate focal length, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 13 at the long focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIG. 17 shows a lens arrangement of a fifth embodiment of a zoom lens system according to the present invention;

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 17 at the short focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C and 19D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 17 at an intermediate focal length, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIGS. 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 17 at the long focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIG. 21 shows a lens arrangement of a sixth embodiment of a zoom lens system according to the present invention;

FIGS. 22A, 22B, 22C and 22D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 21 at the short focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIGS. 23A, 23B, 23C and 23D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 21 at an intermediate focal length, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state;

FIGS. 24A, 24B, 24C and 24D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 21 at the long focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state; and

FIG. 25 is the schematic view of the lens-group moving paths for the zoom lens system according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A zoom lens system of the present invention, as shown in the lens-group moving paths of FIG. 25, includes a negative first lens group 10, a positive second lens group 20, and a positive third lens group 30, in this order from the object.

Upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, the distance between the negative first lens group 10 and the positive second lens group 20 decreases, and the distance between the positive second lens group 20 and the positive third lens group 30 increases.

More specifically, the negative first lens group 10 first moves toward the image, and thereafter moves toward the object, the positive second lens group 20 monotonically moves toward the object, and the positive third lens group 30 monotonically moves toward the image.

A diaphragm S is provided between the negative first lens group 10 and the positive second lens group 20, and integrally moves with the positive second lens group 20.

Focusing is performed by the positive third lens group 30.

The symbol ‘I’ designates the imaging plane.

As shown in each embodiment of FIGS. 1, 5, 9, 13, 17 and 21, the negative first lens group 10 includes a negative lens element (first lens element) 11 having a concave surface facing toward the image, a meniscus lens element (second lens element) 12, with a weaker refractive power, having the convex surface facing toward the object, and a positive third lens element (third lens element) 13 having a convex surface facing toward the object, in this order from the object.

The positive second lens group 20 includes a cemented lens having a biconvex positive lens element (fourth lens element: a first lens element of the positive second lens group 20) 21 and a biconcave negative lens element (fifth lens element: a second lens element of the positive second lens group 20) 22, and a positive or negative lens element 23 having a weaker refractive power (sixth lens element: a third lens element of the positive second lens group 20), in this order from the object.

The positive third lens group 30 includes a biconvex positive lens element (seventh lens element) 31.

The symbol ‘C’ designates a cover glass (filter group) positioned in front of an imaging device.

The second lens element 12 of the negative first lens group 10, the sixth lens element 23 of the positive second lens group 20, and the seventh lens element 31 of the positive third lens group 30 are all made of plastic.

These plastic lens elements can be provided with at least one aspherical surface.

In the negative first lens group 10, the second lens element 12 of the “weaker refractive power” refers to a lens element in which the paraxial area does not almost have refractive power, and the peripheral area has a lens function (aberration-correcting function) by an aspherical surface. In other words, the second lens element 12 of the “weaker refractive power” is not designed to have a refractive power at the paraxial area thereof, but to correct aberrations at the peripheral area.

In the case of a negative-lead type zoom lens system, if an attempt is made to increase the zoom ratio, the entire zoom lens system becomes longer. In order to avoid such an increase in length, the refractive power of each lens group is made stronger so that the traveling distance of each lens group becomes shorter. However, the amount of aberrations on the refractive surface becomes larger, and the correcting of aberrations is difficult.

Condition (1) specifies the shape of the second lens element 12 (the meniscus lens element having the convex surface facing toward the object) in the negative first lens group 10, in the case when the negative first lens group 10 includes the negative first lens element 11, the second lens element 12 with a weaker refractive power, and the positive third lens element 13, in this order from the object. In other words, this condition is to suitably correct aberrations without increasing the thickness of the negative first lens group 10.

If (ra−rb)/(ra+rb) exceeds the lower limit of condition (1), the positive refractive power of the second lens element 12 becomes stronger. On the other hand, the negative first lens group 10 as a whole has to have a negative refractive power of predetermined strength, so that the negative refractive power of the first lens element 11 becomes too strong to correct coma, astigmatism and lateral chromatic aberration occurred in the first lens element 11 at the short focal length extremity.

If (ra−rb)/(ra+rb) exceeds the upper limit of condition (2), the negative refractive power of the second lens element 12 becomes stronger, so that the negative refractive power of the first lens element 11 becomes relatively weaker. Here, note that the negative refractive power is distributed over the two negative lens elements 11 and 12. This arrangement seems to be advantageous for correcting aberrations; however, the peripheral edge of the second lens element 12 becomes thicker, so that the first lens element 11 is inevitably away from the diaphragm S. Consequently, the diameter of the first lens element 11 becomes larger.

If an attempt is made to forcibly make the diameter of the first lens element 11 smaller, off-axis aberrations, such as coma, etc., largely occur at the short focal length extremity.

Condition (2) specifies the positive refractive power of the second lens element 12 of the negative first lens group 10. This condition is to attain a shorter focal length at the short focal length extremity and a higher zoom ratio, while the cost of the zoom lens system is maintained lower.

If the positive refractive power of the second lens element 12 becomes weaker to the extent that f1/fp exceeds the lower limit of condition (2), it becomes difficult to attain a shorter focal length at the short focal length extremity.

If the positive refractive power of the second lens element 12 becomes stronger to the extent that f1/fp exceeds the lower limit of condition (2), a focus-shift due to temperature change undesirably occurs in the case of plastic lens. In addition, with at least one aspherical surface, the correcting of off-axis aberrations, such as coma and astigmatism, etc., becomes possible when the focal length at the short focal length extremity is made shorter.

Condition (3) specifies the refractive index of the second lens element 12.

The second lens element 12 of the negative first lens group 10 has a weaker refractive power which satisfies condition (2), so that a glass material which has a low refractive index which satisfies condition (3) can be employed.

For example, in the case where the second lens element 12 is made of plastic, it becomes easy to form an aspherical surface thereon at low cost. With at least one aspherical surface, the amount of aberrations due to an increase of the zoom ratio can be reduced.

The zoom lens system according to the second aspect of the present invention is directed to the positive second lens group 20.

Namely, the positive second lens group 20 includes the three lens elements, i.e., the biconvex positive lens element 21 and the biconcave negative lens element 22, and the third lens element 23 having a weaker refractive power; and the third lens element 23 can be provided with either positive refractive power or negative refractive power.

In the positive second lens group 20, the third lens element 23 of the “weaker refractive power” refers to a lens element in which the paraxial area does not have refractive power, and the peripheral area has a lens function (aberration-correcting function) by an aspherical surface. In other words, the third lens element 23 of the “weaker refractive power” is not designed to have a refractive power at the paraxial area thereof, but to correct aberrations at the peripheral area.

Condition (4) specifies the shape of the third lens element 23 of the positive second lens group 20. In other words, this condition is to attain further miniaturization of the zoom lens system and cost reduction.

If (r3−r4)/(r3+r4) exceeds the lower limit of condition (4), the curvature of the image-side surface of the third lens element 23 becomes smaller, so that the effect of diverging off-axis light rays on the image-side surface is reduced. Consequently, further miniaturization of the zoom lens system becomes difficult.

If (r3−r4)/(r3+r4) exceeds the upper limit of condition (4), the negative refractive power of the third lens element 23 becomes stronger, so that the correcting of coma and astigmatism on the image-side surface of the third lens element 23 (i.e., the diverging surface) becomes difficult.

The third lens element 23 is preferably provided with, on each surface, with an aspherical surface. The aspherical surfaces are arranged to correct spherical aberration and coma, over the entire zooming range. The correcting of aberrations can be more effectively made by providing an aspherical surface on each surface of the third lens element 23. By providing the two aspherical surfaces, the occurrence of aberrations on each surface can be reduced. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the sensitivity on deterioration of optical performance due to decentration of a lens element in an assembly stage.

In the optical system of a digital camera, telecentricity is required; however, such telecentricity prevents the digital camera from attaining further miniaturization thereof.

In order to maintain telecentricity and make the entire zoom lens system shorter, further optical-design consideration is necessary in distribution of refractive power over each lens group, and in lens arrangements. In this respect, the zoom lens system of the present invention is preferably arranged to form the final surface (the most image-side surface) of the positive second lens group 20 as a diverging surface.

With the diverging surface formed at the final surface of the positive second lens group 20, the height of a bundle of off-axis light rays from the optical axis is increased at the short focal length extremity; and the bundle of off-axis light rays is made parallel with the optical axis by the positive third lens group 30 having a relatively stronger refractive power. Due to this arrangement, telecentricity is maintained and the entire zoom lens system is made shorter at the same time, and the distance between the positive second lens group 20 and the positive third lens group 30 is made shorter.

In the zoom lens system according to the present invention, the positive third lens group 30 is arranged to be a focusing lens group. By moving the positive third lens group 30 along the optical axis, an object at a close distance is brought into an in-focus state.

The positive third lens group 30 preferably satisfies condition (5).

Condition (5) specifies the refractive power of the positive third lens group 30 with respect to that of the positive second lens group 20. In other words, condition (5) is provided to attain telecentricity, i.e., diverging off-axis light rays from the final surface of the positive second lens group 20 are made parallel with the optical axis by the positive third lens group 30.

If f2/f3 exceeds the lower limit of condition (5), the refractive power of the positive third lens group 30 becomes weaker. Consequently, it becomes difficult to maintain telecentricity, while miniaturization of the zoom lens system is attained. The only way to achieve telecentricity while maintaining miniaturization is to increase the refractive power of each lens group. However, in such a case, the correcting of aberrations is difficult over the entire zooming range.

If f2/f3 exceeds the upper limit of condition (5), the refractive power of the positive third lens group 30 becomes too strong with respect to the positive second lens group 20. As a result, optical performance of the zoom lens system upon focusing undesirably varies according to the change in a closer distance.

In the zoom lens system of the present invention, as shown in the lens-group moving paths of FIG. 21, upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, the positive second lens group 20 monotonically moves toward the object, and the positive third lens group 30 monotonically moves toward the image.

Condition (6) specifies the ratio of a magnification of the positive second lens group 20 at the short focal length extremity to a magnification thereof at the long focal length extremity.

Condition (7) specifies the ratio of a magnification of the positive third lens group 30 at the short focal length extremity to a magnification thereof at the long focal length extremity.

These conditions are provided for the purpose of suitably determining the refractive power of the positive second lens group 20 and that of the positive third lens group 30, and suitably positioning the positive second lens group 20 and the positive third lens group 30 along the optical axis, when the zoom ratio of the zoom lens system is increased. By satisfying these conditions, an increase in size of the zoom lens system can be prevented as much as possible.

If m2t/m2w exceeds the lower limit of condition (6), an increase in the magnification of the positive second lens group 20 from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity is smaller, so that it is difficult to achieve a desired zoom ratio.

If m2t/m2w exceeds the upper limit of condition (6), the magnification of the positive second lens group 20 becomes too large, so that the traveling distance of the positive second lens group 20 becomes longer. Consequently, further miniaturization of the zoom lens system become difficult. On the other hand, miniaturization of the zoom lens system would be possible by making the refractive power stronger (i.e., the traveling distance thereof is made shorter); however, the correcting of aberrations becomes difficult over the entire zooming range from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity; and an optimal optical performance cannot be achieved.

If m3t/m3w exceeds the lower limit of condition (7), an increase in the magnification of the positive third lens group 30 from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity is smaller. Consequently, it either becomes difficult to achieve a desired zoom ratio, or the burden of zooming on the positive second lens group 20 becomes larger.

If m3t/m3w exceeds the upper limit of condition (7), the traveling distance of the positive third lens group 30 becomes longer. Therefore the positive refractive power of the positive third lens group 30 has to be made stronger to avoid an insufficient (too-short) back focal distance at the long focal length extremity. Consequently, it becomes difficult to reduce changes in field curvature when an object at close distance is photographed at the long focal length extremity.

The third lens group 30 includes a positive single lens element which is made of plastic, so that cost reduction can be attained.

Furthermore, by forming an aspherical surface on each surface of the third lens group 30, deterioration in optical performance when focusing is performed for an object at a closer can be reduced.

In the zoom lens system of the present invention, the negative first lens group 10 includes three lens elements, so that the negative first lens group 10 tends to be thicker.

Condition (8) specifies the thickness (length) of the negative first lens group 10 in order to reduce the length of the zoom lens system at an accommodation position.

If t1/|f1| exceeds the lower limit of Condition (8), the thickness (length) of the negative first lens group 10 becomes too small (short) with respect to the focal length of the negative first lens group 10, so that the correcting of off-axis aberrations at the short focal length extremity becomes difficult.

If t1/|f1| exceeds the upper limit of Condition (8), the thickness (length) of the negative first lens group 10 becomes too large (long) with respect to the focal length of the negative first lens group 10, so that the length of the zoom lens system at the accommodation position undesirably becomes longer.

Specific numerical data of the embodiments will be described hereinafter.

In the diagrams of chromatic aberration (axial chromatic aberration) represented by spherical aberration, the solid line and the two types of dotted lines respectively indicate spherical aberrations with respect to the d, g and C lines.

In the diagrams of lateral chromatic aberration, the two types of dotted lines respectively indicate magnification with respect to the g and C lines; however, the d line as the base line coincides with the ordinate.

In the diagrams of astigmatism, y designates the image height, S designates the sagittal image, and M designates the meridional image.

In the tables, FNO. designates the F-number, f designates the focal length of the entire zoom lens system, W designates the half angle-of-view (°), fB designates the back focal distance, r designates the radius of curvature, d designates the lens-element thickness or a distance between lens elements (lens groups), N_(d) designates the refractive index of the d-line, and ν designates the Abbe number.

The values of the F-number, the focal length of the entire zoom lens system (f), the half angle-of-view (°) (W) and the back focal distance (fB), and the values of the lens-element thickness or a distance between lens elements (lens groups) (d) are indicated in the order of the short focal length extremity, an intermediate focal length and the long focal length extremity.

In addition to the above, an aspherical surface which is symmetrical with respect to the optical axis is defined as follows: x=cy ²/[1+{1−(1+K)c ² y ²}^(1/2) ]+A4y ⁴ +A6y ⁶ +A8y ⁸ +A10y ¹⁰ wherein:

-   c designates a curvature of the aspherical vertex (1/r); -   y designates a distance from the optical axis; -   K designates the conic coefficient; and -   A4 designates a fourth-order aspherical coefficient; -   A6 designates a sixth-order aspherical coefficient; -   A8 designates a eighth-order aspherical coefficient; and -   A10 designates a tenth-order aspherical coefficient.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 shows the lens arrangement of the first embodiment of a zoom lens system according to the present invention. FIGS. 2A through 2D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 1, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state at the short focal length extremity. FIGS. 3A through 3D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 1, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state at an intermediate focal length. FIGS. 4A through 4D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 1, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state at the long focal length extremity.

Table 1 shows the numerical data of the first embodiment.

The negative first lens group 10 (surface Nos. 1 through 6) includes a biconcave negative lens element (first lens element) 11, a negative meniscus lens element (second lens element) 12 having the convex surface facing toward the object, and a positive meniscus lens element (third lens element) 13 having the convex surface facing toward the object, in this order from the object. Note that the negative meniscus lens element (second lens element) 12 is made of plastic, has aspherical surfaces on both surfaces, and has a weak negative refractive power.

The positive second lens group 20 (surface Nos. 7 through 11) includes a cemented lens having a biconvex positive lens element (fourth lens element) 21 and a biconcave negative lens element (fifth lens element) 22, and a positive meniscus lens element (sixth lens element) 23 having the convex surface facing toward the object, in this order from the object. Note that the positive meniscus lens element 23 is made of plastic, has aspherical surfaces on both surfaces, and has a weak positive refractive power.

The positive third lens group 30 (surface Nos. 12 through 13) includes a biconvex plastic lens element 31 (seventh lens element) having aspherical surfaces on both surfaces thereof.

Surface Nos. 14 through 17 define a cover glass (filter group) C which is positioned in front of an imaging device.

A diaphragm S is provided 0.600 in front (on the object side) of the positive second lens group 20 (surface No. 7).

TABLE 1 FNo. = 1:2.6-3.6-6.1 f = 5.00-9.16-20.50 (Zoom Ratio = 4.10) W = 37.1-22.7-10.4 Surf.No. r d Nd ν  1 −87.039 0.70 1.77250 49.6  2 10.439 0.38 — —  3* 10.371 0.80 1.54358 55.7  4* 5.871 1.71 — —  5 10.107 1.76 1.84666 23.8  6 23.099 17.97-8.91-1.80  — —  7 5.438 3.26 1.69680 55.5  8 −6.854 0.73 1.67270 32.1  9 7.525 0.25 — — 10* 5.110 0.75 1.54358 55.7 11* 6.061  2.57-9.33-21.68 — — 12* 22.364 2.00 1.54358 55.7 13* −19.483 4.09-2.60-1.03 — — 14 ∞ 0.50 1.51633 64.1 15 ∞ 0.60 — — 16 ∞ 0.50 1.51633 64.1 17 ∞ 0.59 (=fb) The symbol * designates the aspherical surface which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the optical axis.

Aspherical surface data (the aspherical surface coefficients not indicated are zero (0.00)):

Surf. K A4 A6 No. 3 −0.10 −0.35049 × 10⁻³     0.20147 × 10⁻⁴ No. 4 −0.10 −0.37305 × 10⁻³     0.21658 × 10⁻⁴ No. 10 0.14178 0.77122 × 10⁻³   0.20112 × 10⁻⁴ No. 11 −0.60850 0.78422 × 10⁻² −0.13693 × 10⁻³ No. 12 −0.10 0.70570 × 10⁻³ −0.65015 × 10⁻⁴ No. 13 −0.10 0.12841 × 10⁻² −0.11105 × 10⁻³ Surf. A8 A10 No. 3 −0.12798 × 10⁻⁶ No. 4 −0.17746 × 10⁻⁸ −0.17233 × 10⁻⁸ No. 10 −0.53935 × 10⁻⁴ No. 11 −0.35721 × 10⁻⁴ No. 12   0.50974 × 10⁻⁵ −0.10361 × 10⁻⁶ No. 13   0.74453 × 10⁻⁵ −0.14500 × 10⁻⁶

Embodiment 2

FIG. 5 shows the lens arrangement of the second embodiment of a zoom lens system according to the present invention. FIGS. 6A through 6D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 5, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state at the short focal length extremity. FIGS. 7A through 7D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 5, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state at an intermediate focal length. FIGS. 8A through 8D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 5, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state at the long focal length extremity.

Table 2 shows the numerical data of the second embodiment.

The basic lens arrangement of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the first lens element 11 of the negative first lens group 10 is a plano-concave lens element (more specifically, a negative meniscus lens element having the convex surface slightly protruding toward the object).

The diaphragm S is provided 0.600 in front (on the object side) of the positive second lens group 20 (surface No. 7).

TABLE 2 FNo. = 1:2.6-3.7-6.1 f = 5.00-9.15-20.50 (Zoom Ratio = 4.10) W = 36.4-22.7-10.3 Surf. No. r d Nd ν  1 1083.377 0.70 1.77250 49.6  2 9.077 0.55 — —  3* 9.974 0.80 1.54358 55.7  4* 6.082 1.89 — —  5 10.879 1.92 1.84666 23.8  6 26.249 18.59-9.17-1.69  — —  7 5.547 2.88 1.77250 49.6  8 −9.756 0.76 1.71736 29.5  9 5.807 0.55 — — 10* 4.672 0.72 1.50915 56.4 11* 6.532  2.26-9.51-22.33 — — 12* 16.071 2.00 1.54358 55.7 13* −29.867 4.39-2.80-1.00 — — 14 ∞ 0.50 1.51633 64.1 15 ∞ 0.60 — — 16 ∞ 0.50 1.51633 64.1 17 ∞ 0.59 (=fb) The symbol * designates the aspherical surface which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the optical axis.

Aspherical surface data (the aspherical surface coefficients not indicated are zero (0.00)):

Surf. K A4 A6 No. 3 −0.10 −0.34425 × 10⁻³     0.21617 × 10⁻⁴ No. 4 −0.10 −0.43858 × 10⁻³     0.23008 × 10⁻⁴ No. 10 0.14178 0.10311 × 10⁻² −0.34523 × 10⁻⁴ No. 11 −0.60850 0.74328 × 10⁻² −0.11044 × 10⁻³ No. 12 −0.10 0.66938 × 10⁻³ −0.66595 × 10⁻⁴ No. 13 −0.10 0.12248 × 10⁻² −0.12218 × 10⁻³ Surf. A8 A10 No. 3 −0.10929 × 10⁻⁶ No. 4   0.57809 × 10⁻⁸ −0.17938 × 10⁻⁸ No. 10 −0.53668 × 10⁻⁴ No. 11 −0.42133 × 10⁻⁴ No. 12   0.46286 × 10⁻⁵ −0.10344 × 10⁻⁶ No. 13   0.79887 × 10⁻⁵ −0.18272 × 10⁻⁶

Embodiment 3

FIG. 9 shows the lens arrangement of the third embodiment of a zoom lens system according to the present invention. FIGS. 10A through 10D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 9, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state at the short focal length extremity. FIGS. 11A through 11D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 9, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state at an intermediate focal length. FIGS. 12A through 12D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 9, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state at the long focal length extremity.

Table 3 shows the numerical data of the third embodiment.

The basic lens arrangement of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The diaphragm S is provided 0.600 in front (on the object side) of the positive second lens group 20 (surface No. 7).

TABLE 3 FNo. = 1:2.6-3.7-6.2 f = 5.00-9.15-21.00 (Zoom Ratio = 4.20) W = 37.1-22.8-10.1_([hasu4-1]) Surf. No. r d Nd ν  1 −96.725 0.70 1.77250 49.6  2 11.502 0.07 — —  3* 9.436 0.80 1.54358 55.7  4* 5.354 2.05 — —  5 10.029 1.73 1.84666 23.8  6 21.534 18.67-9.75-1.81 — —  7 5.511 3.03 1.77250 49.6  8 −8.043 0.70 1.69895 30.0  9 5.744 0.21 — — 10* 4.869 0.70 1.54358 55.7 11* 6.149  2.70-9.88-22.43 — — 12* 17.904 2.00 1.54358 55.7 13* −20.934 4.02-2.30-1.20 — — 14 ∞ 0.50 1.51633 64.1 15 ∞ 0.60 — — 16 ∞ 0.50 1.51633 64.1 17 ∞ 0.59 (=fb) The symbol * designates the aspherical surface which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the optical axis.

Aspherical surface data (the aspherical surface coefficients not indicated are zero (0.00)):

Surf. K A4 A6 No. 3 −0.10 −0.39657 × 10⁻³     0.20176 × 10⁻⁴ No. 4 −0.10 −0.35820 × 10⁻³     0.21867 × 10⁻⁴ No. 10 0.14178 0.78351 × 10⁻³ −0.13682 × 10⁻⁴ No. 11 −0.60850 0.77284 × 10⁻² −0.12635 × 10⁻³ No. 12 −0.10 0.71655 × 10⁻³ −0.66107 × 10⁻⁴ No. 13 −0.10 0.11513 × 10⁻² −0.11029 × 10⁻³ Surf. A8 A10 No. 3 −0.13454 × 10⁻⁶ No. 4 −0.35047 × 10⁻⁹ −0.13459 × 10⁻⁸ No. 10 −0.57548 × 10⁻⁴ No. 11 −0.39092 × 10⁻⁴ No. 12   0.49265 × 10⁻⁵ −0.93248 × 10⁻⁷ No. 13   0.77102 × 10⁻⁵ −0.15280 × 10⁻⁶

Embodiment 4

FIG. 13 shows the lens arrangement of the fourth embodiment of a zoom lens system according to the present invention. FIGS. 14A through 14D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 13, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state at the short focal length extremity. FIGS. 15A through 15D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 13, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state at an intermediate focal length. FIGS. 16A through 16D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 13, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state at the long focal length extremity.

Table 4 shows the numerical data of the fourth embodiment.

The basic lens arrangement of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The diaphragm S is provided 0.600 in front (on the object side) of the positive second lens group 20 (surface No. 7).

TABLE 4 FNo. = 1:2.6-3.6-5.8 f = 5.00-9.17-19.60 (Zoom Ratio = 3.92) W = 41.8-23.2-11.1 Surf. No. r d Nd ν  1 −89.047 0.70 1.77250 49.6  2 10.424 0.39 — —  3* 10.475 0.80 1.54358 55.7  4* 5.915 1.70 — —  5 10.152 1.75 1.84666 23.8  6 23.164 18.17-9.06-2.16  — —  7 5.437 3.27 1.69680 55.5  8 −6.978 0.74 1.67270 32.1  9 7.486 0.25 — — 10* 5.114 0.75 1.54358 55.7 11* 6.057  2.38-9.24-20.75 — — 12* 23.706 2.00 1.54358 55.7 13* −19.512 4.27-2.74-1.40 — — 14 ∞ 0.50 1.51633 64.1 15 ∞ 0.60 — — 16 ∞ 0.50 1.51633 64.1 17 ∞ 0.59(=fb) The symbol * designates the aspherical surface which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the optical axis.

Aspherical surface data (the aspherical surface coefficients not indicated are zero (0.00)):

Surf. K A4 A6 No. 3 −0.10 −0.34968 × 10⁻³     0.20151 × 10⁻⁴ No. 4 −0.10 −0.37431 × 10⁻³     0.21648 × 10⁻⁴ No. 10 0.14178 0.76929 × 10⁻³   0.21448 × 10⁻⁴ No. 11 −0.60850 0.78461 × 10⁻² −0.13837 × 10⁻³ No. 12 −0.10 0.71065 × 10⁻³ −0.64522 × 10⁻⁴ No. 13 −0.10 0.12808 × 10⁻² −0.11129 × 10⁻³ Surf. A8 A10 No. 3 −0.12793 × 10⁻⁶ No. 4 −0.19440 × 10⁻⁸ −0.17254 × 10⁻⁸ No. 10 −0.54008 × 10⁻⁴ No. 11 −0.35681 × 10⁻⁴ No. 12   0.51118 × 10⁻⁵ −0.10417 × 10⁻⁶ No. 13   0.74253 × 10⁻⁵ −0.14172 × 10⁻⁶

Embodiment 5

FIG. 17 shows the lens arrangement of the fifth embodiment of a zoom lens system according to the present invention. FIGS. 18A through 18D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 17, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state at the short focal length extremity. FIGS. 19A through 19D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 17, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state at an intermediate focal length. FIGS. 20A through 20D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 17, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state at the long focal length extremity.

Table 5 shows the numerical data of the fifth embodiment.

The basic lens arrangement of the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the third lens element 23 of the positive second lens group 20 has a weak negative refractive power at the paraxial area.

The diaphragm S is provided 0.600 in front (on the object side) of the positive second lens group 20 (surface No. 7).

TABLE 5 FNo. = 1:2.6-3.6-6.0 f = 5.00-9.14-19.60 (Zoom Ratio = 3.92) W = 40.8-22.5-10.8 Surf. No. r d Nd ν  1 −98.267 0.70 1.77250 49.6  2 9.031 0.75 — —  3* 10.826 0.80 1.54358 55.7  4* 7.142 1.69 — —  5 10.625 1.67 1.84666 23.8  6 22.900 17.74-8.41-2.16  — —  7 5.654 1.76 1.83481 42.7  8 −20.401 0.75 1.94595 18.0  9 156.652 0.93 — — 10* 7.701 0.78 1.60641 27.2 11* 3.420  3.49-9.03-20.59 — — 12* 37.183 2.00 1.54358 55.7 13* −10.959 3.22-2.59-1.40 — — 14 ∞ 0.50 1.51633 64.1 15 ∞ 0.60 — — 16 ∞ 0.50 1.51633 64.1 17 ∞ 0.59 (=fb) The symbol * designates the aspherical surface which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the optical axis.

Aspherical surface data (the aspherical surface coefficients not indicated are zero (0.00)):

Surf. K A4 A6 No. 3 −0.10 −0.32359 × 10⁻³ 0.20619 × 10⁻⁴ No. 4 −0.10 −0.41240 × 10⁻³ 0.20978 × 10⁻⁴ No. 10 0.00 −0.56728 × 10⁻² 0.11017 × 10⁻³ No. 11 0.00 −0.56929 × 10⁻² 0.14784 × 10⁻³ No. 12 −0.10   0.80563 × 10⁻³ −0.64814 × 10⁻⁴   No. 13 −0.10   0.14128 × 10⁻² −0.10305 × 10⁻³   Surf. A8 A10 No. 3 −0.11634 × 10⁻⁶ No. 4 −0.13815 × 10⁻⁷ −0.18478 × 10⁻⁸ No. 10   0.50295 × 10⁻⁶ No. 11 −0.19837 × 10⁻⁵ No. 12   0.48467 × 10⁻⁵ −0.11101 × 10⁻⁶ No. 13   0.69262 × 10⁻⁵ −0.15829 × 10⁻⁶

Embodiment 6

FIG. 21 shows the lens arrangement of the sixth embodiment of a zoom lens system according to the present invention. FIGS. 22A through 22D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 21 at the short focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state. FIGS. 23A through 23D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 21 at an intermediate focal length, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state. FIGS. 24A through 24D show aberrations occurred in the lens arrangement shown in FIG. 21 at the long focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state.

Table 6 shows the numerical data of the sixth embodiment.

The basic lens arrangement of the sixth embodiment is the same as that of the fifth embodiment.

The diaphragm S is provided 0.600 in front (on the object side) of the positive second lens group 20 (surface No. 7).

TABLE 6 FNo. = 1:2.6-3.6-6.1 f = 5.00-9.11-20.50 (Zoom Ratio = 4.10) W = 40.9-22.2-10.2 Surf. No. r d Nd ν  1 −41.339 0.70 1.77250 49.6  2 10.887 0.20 — —  3* 7.612 0.80 1.54358 55.7  4* 5.387 2.16 — —  5 11.218 1.67 1.84666 23.8  6 25.236 17.65-8.42-1.73  — —  7 5.519 1.82 1.77250 49.6  8 −15.070 0.95 1.75520 27.5  9 114.131 0.74 — — 10* 7.399 0.81 1.63700 23.0 11* 3.502  3.98-9.46-21.59 — — 12* 40.140 2.00 1.54358 55.7 13* −9.752 2.87-2.20-1.15 — — 14 ∞ 0.50 1.51633 64.1 15 ∞ 0.60 — — 16 ∞ 0.50 1.51633 64.1 17 ∞ 0.59 (=fb) The symbol * designates the aspherical surface which is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the optical axis.

Aspherical surface data (the aspherical surface coefficients not indicated are zero (0.00)):

Surf. K A4 A6 No. 3 −0.10 −0.28038 × 10⁻³ 0.20782 × 10⁻⁴ No. 4 −0.10 −0.38683 × 10⁻³ 0.21837 × 10⁻⁴ No. 10 0.00 −0.56599 × 10⁻² 0.96928 × 10⁻⁴ No. 11 0.00 −0.57307 × 10⁻² 0.13246 × 10⁻³ No. 12 −0.10   0.79253 × 10⁻³ −0.63040 × 10⁻⁴   No. 13 −0.10   0.15896 × 10⁻² −0.98458 × 10⁻⁴   Surf. A8 A10 No. 3 −0.11682 × 10⁻⁶ No. 4   0.12938 × 10⁻⁷ −0.16560 × 10⁻⁸ No. 10 −0.35870 × 10⁻⁵ No. 11 −0.41804 × 10⁻⁵ No. 12   0.49521 × 10⁻⁵ −0.10490 × 10⁻⁶ No. 13   0.69112 × 10⁻⁵ −0.15147 × 10⁻⁶

The numerical values of each condition for each embodiment are shown in Table 7.

TABLE 7 Embod. Embod. Embod. Embod. 1 2 3 Embod. 4 Embod. 5 6 Cond.(1) 0.277 0.242 0.276 0.278 0.205 0.171 Cond. (2) 0.430 0.409 0.418 0.428 0.440 0.441 Cond. (3) 1.544 1.544 1.544 1.544 1.544 1.544 Cond. (4) −0.085 −0.166 −0.116 −0.084 0.385 0.357 Cond. (5) 0.597 0.626 0.662 0.584 0.719 0.774 Cond. (6) 3.320 3.226 3.381 3.229 3.344 3.486 Cond. (7) 1.235 1.271 1.243 1.214 1.173 1.176 Cond. (8) 0.359 0.375 0.343 0.360 0.382 0.374

As can be understood from Table 7, the first through sixth embodiments satisfy conditions (1) through (8). Furthermore, as can be understood from the aberration diagrams, the various aberrations are suitably corrected.

According to the present invention, a negative-lead type zoom lens system of three lens groups (i.e., a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group and a positive third lens group, in this order from the object) with the following features can be attained:

aberrations are suitably corrected;

a zoom ratio exceeds 4.0; and

a zooming range (focal length range) extends from a wide-angle to a telephoto angle.

Obvious changes may be made in the specific embodiments of the present invention described herein, such modifications being within the spirit and scope of the invention claimed. It is indicated that all matter contained herein is illustrative and does not limit the scope of the present invention. 

1. A zoom lens system comprises a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, and a positive third lens group, in this order from an object, wherein upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, the distance between said negative first lens group and said positive second lens group decreases, and the distance between said positive second lens group and said positive third lens group increases; wherein said negative first lens group comprises a negative first lens element, a negative second lens element having a weaker negative refractive power, and a positive third lens element, in this order from the object; and wherein said second lens element of said negative first lens group satisfies the following condition: 0<(ra−rb)/(ra+rb)<0.3 wherein ra designates a radius of curvature of the object-side surface of said second lens element of said negative first lens group; and rb designates a radius of curvature of the image-side surface of said second lens element of said negative first lens group; and wherein said positive second lens group comprises a positive first lens element, a negative second lens element, and a positive or negative third lens element having a weaker refractive power, in this order from the object; and wherein said third lens element of said positive second lens group satisfies the following condition: −0.3<(r3−r4)/(r3+r4)<0.5 wherein r3 designates a radius of curvature of the object-side surface of said third lens element of said positive second lens group; and r4 designates a radius of curvature of the image-side surface of said third lens element of said positive second lens group.
 2. The zoom lens system according to claim 1, satisfying following condition: 0.3<f1/fp<0.7(f1<0) wherein f1 designates the focal length of said negative first lens group; and fp designates the focal length of said second lens element of said negative first lens group.
 3. The zoom lens system according to claim 1, wherein said second lens element of said negative first lens group comprises at least one aspherical surface; and wherein said second lens element satisfies the following condition: n2<1.55 wherein n2 designates the refractive index of the d-line of said second lens element.
 4. The zoom lens system according to claim 1, wherein the most image-side surface of said positive second lens group comprises a concave surface facing toward the image.
 5. The zoom lens system according to claim 1, satisfying following condition: 0.5f2/f3<0.9 wherein f2 designates the focal length of said positive second lens group, and f3 designates the focal length of said positive third lens group.
 6. The zoom lens system according to claim 1, wherein upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, said positive second lens group is monotonically moved toward the object, and satisfies the following condition: 3.2<m2t/m2w<4.0 wherein m2t designates a magnification of said positive second lens group, at the long focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state; and m2w designates a magnification of said positive second lens group, at the short focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state.
 7. The zoom lens system according to claim 1, wherein upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, said positive third lens group is monotonically moved toward the image, and satisfies the following condition: 1.1<m3t/m3w<1.4 wherein m3t designates a magnification of said positive third lens group, at the long focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state; and m3w designates a magnification of said positive third lens group, at the short focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state.
 8. The zoom lens system according to claim 1, wherein said positive third lens group is arranged to function as a focusing lens group, and comprises a biconvex plastic lens element having at least one aspherical surface.
 9. The zoom lens system according to claim 1, satisfying the following condition: 0.2<t1/|f1|<0.4 wherein t1 designates a distance from the most object-side surface of said negative first lens group to the most image-side surface thereof; and f1 designates the focal length of said negative first lens group.
 10. A zoom lens system comprises a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, and a positive third lens group, in this order from an object, wherein upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, the distance between said negative first lens group and said positive second lens group decreases, and the distance between said positive second lens group and said positive third lens group increases; wherein said positive second lens group comprises consists of a positive first lens element, a negative second lens element, and a positive or negative third lens element having a weaker refractive power, in this order from the object; and wherein said third lens element of said positive second lens group satisfies the following condition: −0.3<(r3−r4)/(r3+r4)<0.5 wherein r3 designates a radius of curvature of the object-side surface of said third lens element of said positive second lens group; and r4 designates a radius of curvature of the image-side surface of said third lens element of said positive second lens group.
 11. The zoom lens system according to claim 10, satisfying following condition: 0.5<f2/f3<0.9 wherein f2 designates the focal length of said positive second lens group, and f3 designates the focal length of said positive third lens group.
 12. The zoom lens system according to claim 10, wherein upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, said positive second lens group is monotonically moved toward the object, and satisfies the following condition: 3.2<m2t/m2w<4.0 wherein m2t designates a magnification of said positive second lens group, at the long focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state; and m2w designates a magnification of said positive second lens group, at the short focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state.
 13. The zoom lens system according to claim 10, wherein upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, said positive third lens group is monotonically moved toward the image, and satisfies the following condition: 1.1<m3t/m3t/m3w<1.4 wherein m3t designates a magnification of said positive third lens group, at the long focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state; and m3w designates a magnification of said positive third lens group, at the short focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state.
 14. The zoom lens system according to claim 10, wherein said positive third lens group is arranged to function as a focusing lens group, and comprises a biconvex plastic lens element having at least one aspherical surface.
 15. The zoom lens system according to claim 10, satisfying the following condition: 0.2<t1/|f1|<0.4 wherein t1 designates a distance from the most object-side surface of said negative first lens group to the most image-side surface thereof; and f1 designates the focal length of said negative first lens group.
 16. A zoom lens system comprises a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, and a positive third lens group, in this order from an object, wherein upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, the distance between said negative first lens group and said positive second lens group decreases, and the distance between said positive second lens group and said positive third lens group increases; wherein said negative first lens group comprises a negative first lens element, a negative second lens element having a weaker negative refractive power, and a positive third lens element, in this order from the object; and wherein said second lens element of said negative first lens group satisfies the following condition: 0<(ra−rb)/(ra+rb)<0.3 wherein ra designates a radius of curvature of the object-side surface of said second lens element of said negative first lens group; and rb designates a radius of curvature of the image-side surface of said second lens element of said negative first lens group; and wherein upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, said positive second lens group is monotonically moved toward the object, and satisfies the following condition: 3.2<m2t/m2w<4.0 wherein m2t designates a magnification of said positive second lens group, at the long focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state; and m2w designates a magnification of said positive second lens group, at the short focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state.
 17. The zoom lens system according to claim 16, satisfying following condition: 0.3<f1/fp<0.7(f1<0) wherein f1 designates the focal length of said negative first lens group; and fp designates the focal length of said second lens element of said negative first lens group.
 18. The zoom lens system according to claim 16, wherein said second lens element of said negative first lens group comprises at least one aspherical surface; and wherein said second lens element satisfies the following condition: n2<1.55 wherein n2 designates the refractive index of the d-line of said second lens element.
 19. The zoom lens system according to claim 16, wherein the most image-side surface of said positive second lens group comprises a concave surface facing toward the image.
 20. The zoom lens system according to claim 16, satisfying following condition: 0.5<f2/f3<0.9 wherein f2 designates the focal length of said positive second lens group, and f3 designates the focal length of said positive third lens group.
 21. The zoom lens system according to claim 16, wherein upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, said positive third lens group is monotonically moved toward the image, and satisfies the following condition: 1.1<m3t/m3w<1.4 wherein m3t designates a magnification of said positive third lens group, at the long focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state; and m3w designates a magnification of said positive third lens group, at the short focal length extremity, when an object at infinity is in an in-focus state.
 22. The zoom lens system according to claim 16, wherein said positive third lens group is arranged to function as a focusing lens group, and comprises a biconvex plastic lens element having at least one aspherical surface.
 23. The zoom lens system according to claim 16, satisfying the following condition: 0.2<t1/|f1<0.4 wherein t1 designates a distance from the most object-side surface of said negative first lens group to the most image-side surface thereof; and f1 designates the focal length of said negative first lens group. 